Powerful or Not?

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Describing someone as powerful is usually seen as someone who is brave, gallant, intelligent and respectful. These characteristics classified a King’s attitude, especially in the
Middle Ages. King Arthur, who was the king of England was seen as a very powerful and brave king (Sir Gawain; line 107). In my perspective, in order to gain power, two main attributes have to be gained: popularity, and the ability to control and manipulate your country. King Arthur had that power, the power of having a whole kingdom at his feet even when he was not brave. In the book, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain sees his cousin or King Arthur as the most powerful man alive, as someone who has all his respect. However, Gawain was more brave then King Arthur in many occasions. King Arthur was so powerful that he did not have to put himself at risk because he had all the knights and his people around him willing to do it for him and save his life.
A main event where King Arthur shows his power without showing his braveness is when the Green Knight defeats him. In the New Year’s Ball, King Arthur wants someone to tell him a marvelous story before he starts to feast. (Gawain; line 90) In that moment a huge knight comes in the ball saying he is not harmful and he does not war. “All I ask for in this court is one
Christmas game, at this New Year holiday with young people all around”, said the Green Knight to the King. (Gawain; lines 284-285) The game’s rules were that King Arthur should get the
Green Knight’s axe to cut him and then a year and one day from the New Year’s Ball, the Green
Knight would come back and do the same thing to King Arthur.(Gawain; line 290) The King’s reaction was shocking, however he accepted to this ridiculous game. When th...

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King Arthur’s actions whether good or bad are supported by his loyal followers and brave knights. The theme of power is evident because even when Sir Gawain can try to escape from his own death, he decides not to in order to keep his King proud. In Gawain and in all the knights thoughts, if the King’s words were not followed, they were not worthy of having the privilege of being a knight. Knights had to be chivalrous, brave, gallants, intelligent, risky and all it took to keep the honesty and respect with their King. This shows how much respect and power King
Arthur had. When a king is not respected or powerful, there were no such thing as loyal knights willing to fight and be killed for their king. By all these factors we can conclude that King Arthur was very powerful and was very respected by all his people and in particular by the Knight Sir
Gawain.

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